Memory timings?

[onedsla]

Hi again - further to finally getting an XP build on the below system, it's not as stable as I first thought. It suffers from random reboots, generally between 5 minutes to 1 hour into a game. I have a feeling that the memory is to blame somehow.

Could anybody please recommend the clock timings (and also AGP apature size) for the below equipment?

Or does anybody think that there could be another cause?

Many thanks,
Dave

Epox 8RDA
512Mb DDR PC3200
2500 AMD XP (Barton)
Gainward 256Mb Geoforece FX 5200

[Plotloss]

3200 Memory is generally CAS Latency 2.

Aperture size should be set to one setting lower than the amount of system memory. This will vary from mobo to mobo but if you share say 256mb or 384mb that should be fine. Its going to be highly unlikely that you are in a game with more than 256mb's worth of textures anyway so fiddling with this setting isnt going to make much difference.

[rjo]

Could it be getting hot?
Most mobos give a warning before they shut down I would have thought and they can be configured by the user.
See if the games are using the direct 3d or software drivers.
If it is software it will use lots more resources.

[onedsla]

I'm also wondering if there's not enough voltage getting to the CPU which could be causing this? Should I up it to 1.8v?

[onedsla]

Temperature-wise the cpu is really cold compared to my 2200+ Athlon. I was actually considering overclocking once I can get it stable!!

[Plotloss]

Give the chip a little more voltage, nothing more than 0.5v

Tried removing all the memory and then adding it back one stick at a time?

Alternatively you may have CAS 2 mem in a board with a CAS 2.5 controller.

Do you get memory leaks?

[onedsla]

plotless said:

Do you get memory leaks?

Sorry plotless - I'm not too sure what this means - could you please explain what I would see should I have the above?

I only have one stick of RAM which I've tried (and double checked the seating) in all 3 memory slots. I've also tried running PC2700 ram from my other PC, but it was still not especially stable.

[Plotloss]

Things like Unhandled exception occurred at 0x000000c0 and blue screens?

This would point towards a memory error. Random reboots could also though so its by no means a foolproof method.

[rjo]

Got the latest bios?

[onedsla]

Yes - I have had blue screens (generally dump of physical memory). What do you think this means?

The motheboard is running the latest bios.

[Plotloss]

Could be various things.

Whats the power rating on the PSU?

[onedsla]

Hmmm - it's a 300W 'AMD approved' unit which I think *should be* perfectly capable of powering this system (no USB devices attached).

[onedsla]

Oh - any thanks very much for the extremely quick replies so far - it's really appreaciated as I've been tearing my hair out trying to get this thing going!!

[Plotloss]

Can you get hold of a 350 or a 400?

The later Geforce cards are hugely juicy. Before mucking about with memory etc I would be isolating the PSU as a cause of fault...

Whats the full component list? A writer and a DVD something like that?

[onedsla]

On top of what I've mentioned above, the only other power using devices are:

80 GB HDD
Floppy DD
DVD ROM drive
Network card
PS/2 mouse & keyboard
Various LEDs on the case (nothing special)

Hence my thoughts about the 300W being adequate.
I have a 350 in my own PC which I can test when I get home from work.

[Plotloss]

Now I cant be 100% but I would be erring towards the PSU. I would try this first because they are cheaper than a new stick of memory which is the next most likely cause in my mind.

The Geforce4 cards have a recommended PSU power of 350w so I can only assume that the GeforceFX has more draw again...

[onedsla]

Thanks for your help plottless - I'll try the PSU tonight.

[polar_ben]

Ditto Matt's advice - I have a similar system & a decent 350w PSU sorted my random shutdown problem recently.

[big_treacle]

i had some random shutdown problems - similar thing, 5mins to x mins into a game. temperature seemed fine, power seemed OK.
i solved it by setting the memory frequency in the BIOS to be automatic rather than trying to set it myself. system is running fine now.
just as a quick thread hijack, can anyone give any info on how to get the settings in BIOS correct for
- memory timings
- agp aperture
- FSB speed
cheers for any info....
Stew

[onedsla]

I've found the people on www.aoaforums.com to know far too much than is healthy about mobos!! Could be worth a post there if nobody here can help.
Until today I had no idea how much somebody can know about a motherboard - and the sad thing is that I work in IT (albeit not with motherboards).